Friends come and go.Good friends are rare. Close friends are exquisite. Best friends are gems. I am always the kind of person who treat people the same way I’ve been treated. It’s “Quid Pro Quo” principle. And I am also a loyal person towards friendships or relationships I have sworn to commit; it’s just my nature to be that. It’s like an unspoken oath to give back the best of you when people are giving their bests to you, too. And of course, if they give you some fucking shit, you’ll give them one hell of freaking-fucking hell retaliation, aite? (,”)

Back in USM; I hang-out with Kat and Efy and I coined the name ‘Doncha Club’ (Eeeek?! I know! Hahaha) because every time we hangout, the song ‘Don’t Cha’ by the now-defunct Pussy Cat Dolls would always being played on air somewhere; it’s like serendipity or whatever you wanna call it! What brought us together was the passion for music and also circle of friends. Malay friends always find it fascinating of how most of my bestfriends are non-Malays (primary, secondary & tertiary educations) – while I find it quite weird for them to find it fascinating because I guess sincere friendships transcends through religions, race and skin colours!

Landscape in Putrajaya, Federal Territory of Malaysia.

I guess mutual understanding and respect each other’s religions and customs make the friendship becoming stronger and harmonious; that’s the true essence in Islam and I would like to be a living example; if not to other friends- to my pupils that FRIENDSHIPS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES OF RELIGIONS AND RACES. I hope my pupils will emulate that in life and shun prejudices (if there’s any) that perhaps could be blossoming in the cocoons of their lives.

The bird-eye-view towards Genting Highlands from the cable car.

Anyway after 5 years of not having the complete set of Doncha Club, Efy who is now residing in Sempoerna (he’s a teacher there, too) flew to Peninsular and stayed with me circa 3 days. It was tiring but enjoyable moments to have him back and complete the set of our Doncha Club! On 12th December on Monday, I took him from LCCT, Sepang and before that, we hang-out at The Coffee Bean (I love the Caramel!) just to acclimatize with our hots-and-nots! Efy was like freaking excited and been lavishing me with updates of like spanning for 5 years! Hahahah! But it was a great “let-hair-down” moment (,”).

Goofy moment in RedBox, Sogo! Yeay!

Then, I took him around Putrajaya to savour the magnificent behemoth of our Federal Territory. Went to Kakak’s new office near Pullman and we savoured the majestic scenery of Putrajaya from the bird-eye-view from the top of hill of Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). Then, we went to Pavillion (my favourite mall!) as Efy has never been there yet and watched the star-studded-casts-movie “New Year’s End.” My popcorn verdict? 3 stars outta 5. The only attractions was to see ensemble of Hollywood stars in one film, that’s all.

At “Selangor State Park” which houses The ‘Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua’.

The next day, off to the nearby Genting Highlands! Took the cable car and witnessed the beautiful scenery along the way. I have to say that Malaysia is the authentic Pandora of Avatar, no? We have a lot of greenery and floras that are yet to be tainted by wrath of development! Just showed Efy around and had luncheon at Old Town White Coffee and then around 1.00 P.M., we went down. Around 4.00 p.M., we pushed off to Sogo, Kuala Lumpur because Kat would be joining us at redBox after work from her nearby office. It was raining HEAVILY and nearly the time that the office bugs were to go home out from office (so, traffic will be congested!); – I’ve never drive to Sogo before (Old Kuala Lumpur) because I am more accustomed to New Kuala Lumpur (Bukit Bintang, etc) because my working place used to be that area; so you can imagine the mess – especially when Efy said that he was feeling nauseous in the car!

The yonder “Empangan Batu Ulu Yam” dam.

With me driving and also trying to look for signboards amidst the heavy rain and traffic jam, it was totally a mess! Called Kat but it was a bit helter-skelter to have guidance via phone. Fortunately Efy was feeling better and with me driving and he scouting for Sogo, we’ve made it! Hahahaha! Actually I know where to head for Sogo; it’s just that I took the early exit via PWTC and you know in KL, once you choose the route, it’s hard to do U-Turn, aite? (,”) Parked at nearby Pertama Complex (happened to be the oldest mall in Malaysia, did you know that???) and off we went to RedBox amidst the hard rain!

Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur.

It was really a reminiscence of the USM days!We screeched our lungs out and was acting silly and goofy- jumping on the couches and experimenting weird songs with weird voices (falsetto, baritones, whistling! Hahaha!) and savouring the delicious foods! Oh my…such a memorable and saccharine moment for the three of us after 5 years!

The next day, which was on Wednesday 14th December, went to Batang kali to show Efy around (since he has never been there) and had our breakfast. Then, we used the Ulu Yam road to Kuala Lumpur by using the road through Batu Caves as I myself has never used it before this. It was where the school camping took place at The Woods Resort and along the way, there are actually a lot of waterfalls hot spots and also “Selangor State Park” that houses ‘Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua’. We had a peekaboo there and then proceeded the journey. Along the way, there is a big-yonder dam called “Empangan Batu Ulu Yam”. I was mesmerized by the serenity atmosphere there. Well, I’ve heard a lot about Ulu Yam and also the mystic stories swirling but I’ve never bother to visit. So, it’s a good discovery for me, too.

The Christmas carollers; Efy & Kat looking excited! LOL!

Went to Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur (again as Efy couldn’t get enough of it! Hahaha) and roamed around killing time and scouting for Baskin Robbins ice-creams for our Doncha Club ritual. We used to lavish ourselves with Baskin Robbins on every 31st of the months back in USM; it was like a must-ritual apart from karaoke-ing! Hahhahaa! We then went back to Serendah, Hulu Selangor as Kat’s Christmas carolling will only commence around 8 or 9 P.M.

Baskin’ time!!!!!!

Pushed off to Kat’s crib in Jalan Ipoh after Maghrib prayer and arrived there circa 8.30 P.M. Kat was in a hurry preparing dishes of the Christmas carollers. It was indeed my first time attending/witnessing Christmas carolling as I’ve only seen it in films. I guess that perhaps some conservative and close-minded Moslems will perceive that as OUTRAGEOUS because I attended a sort-of-religious-accentuated commotion. But I always believe on the essence of that Islam is NEVER a difficult religion and a peaceful one (true to the meaning driven from the term ‘Islam’ in Arab which means submission). I’d like to show the spirit of AUTHENTIC Islam that appreciates and respect other religions as well. That’s the true essence of Islam and humanity root embodied in it – not the prejudices and hatred which definitely smear the sanctity of Islam!

Kat’s luxurious-view balcony. Can you see the KL Twin Tower? (,”)

Anyway, the carollers came around 9.30 P.M. and sang few songs. I just sat there and watched them doing their singing and prayers. It was a nice cultural experience for me. Kat prepared some minced Ramlee Burger meat and also yogurt-and-ice cream-assorted-with fruits for us and the carollers. After the carollers left, we talked and just kept ourselves updated. It was just a relaxing mode catching up (for Efy though as i get to meet Kat a lot!) news and lives and then we feasted on our Baskin Robbins by gazing at the majestic scenery of Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower at Kat’s balcony. Fabulous way to relive our Doncha Club’s USM days, eh? (,”). We called it off around 12.15 A.M. as Kat was so sleepy (pity her!) and it was a great event. Thanks Kitty Kat!

Us during 2005. I am like – ‘What the hell did I wear????’ Well, I have to admit that I thought I was being fashionable (Yikes!) that time BUT now looking back, I am like WHATTT??? *Hahaha* But still, sweet memory (,”)

Us in 2011 – After 5 years! And I like my new cherubic fats (,”)

Last day on Thursday, I sent Efy to LCCT, Sepang as his flight was scheduled at 1.20 P.M. Couldn’t find parking lot so I just dropped him off. It was a memorable and successful get-together with Doncha Club. You know, I am always a Rihanna’s “Umbrella” – ‘When the sun shines, we’ll shine together. Told you I’ll be here forever. Said I’ll always be your friend. Took an oath, I’mma stick it out till the end.” (,”)